LeBron James announced his retirement from professional basketball on September 1, concluding a 23-year career that included four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and the all-time scoring record. The 41-year-old made the announcement in a video posted to his social media accounts, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family after two decades of professional basketball. James scored 40,474 career points across the regular season and playoffs, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previous record of 38,387 points. "I came into this league as a kid from Akron with a dream, and I leave with more than I ever imagined," James said. "Basketball gave me everything. Now it is time to give back to my family." ## Career Statistics James career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game across 1,492 regular season contests place him among the five greatest players in NBA history. He was named to 20 All-Star teams and 13 All-NBA First Team selections. His four championships came with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. The 2016 title, in which the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, is widely regarded as the greatest Finals performance in league history. "LeBron changed what it means to be a basketball player," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "He used his platform to drive social change in ways that transcended the sport." ## Impact Beyond the Court James off-court impact includes the I Promise School, a public school in Akron serving at-risk students, which he opened in 2018. The school has graduated over 95 percent of its enrolled students, with 87 percent receiving college scholarships. His production company, SpringHill Entertainment, produced Space Jam: A New Legacy and the documentary More Than a Game. Forbes estimated James net worth at $1.2 billion, making him the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status. "LeBron built something that will outlast any scoring record," said Maverick Carter, James business partner. "His legacy is about changing the game and changing lives for the better." ## League Reaction and Legacy Tributes poured in from across the basketball world. Michael Jordan said James "pushed the game forward in ways that inspired a generation of players." Kobe Bryant widow Vanessa shared a photo of the two competitors embracing during the 2018 Finals. The Lakers plan to retire James number 23 jersey in a ceremony during the 2027-28 season. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have announced plans for similar honors at their respective arenas. "When I think about LeBron, I think about someone who never stopped improving," said Pat Riley, president of the Miami Heat. "He reinvented himself every five years to stay at the top of the game." James final season averages of 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game demonstrated his continued value even at age 41. He played in 67 of 82 games, missing time due to a minor knee injury in January. The NBA has not yet announced how it will honor James legacy during the upcoming season. Commissioner Silver indicated that a league-wide tribute would be planned for opening night on October 22.